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Comic-Competition
The heart of Fumetto is once again the traditional Comix Competition. This year's theme "Camping" was announced in November 2003 and a total of 858 comics from 22 countries were sent in. The prizes will be awarded on Saturday 8th May 2004.
Translation: Ian Black
International Exhibitions
 David B. (FR)
Marjane Satrapi- Childhood Memories from Iran (FR/Iran)
Willem- political cartoon (FR/NL)
Artists in the Lucerne Art Museum (four artists from Italy, France and Belgium)
Lorenzo Mattotti (Italy + France)
Caroline Sury (France)
Stefano Ricci (Italy + Germany)
Dominique Goblet (Belgium)
Guest Group- South Africa (RSA)
Young Spanish Drawers (SP)
Katz und Goldt (D)
Calle Claus, TeER, Jule K. (D)
Kassel Art School- Students Exhibition (D)
National Exhibitions
CH-Forum. Al Aqua
Bruno Moser/ Reto Gloor/ Massimo Milano
Sandra Luchsinger and Ivo Habermacher - Swiss Picture Book Prize Winner
Mathias Gnehm
Elvis Studio - the young French Swiss
Comics in advertising
M.S. Bastian
Stefan Bucher-Twerenbold
Satellite Exhibitions
Window Displays
Book Previews/ Book Signing
Additional exhibitions
This years guest star David B. tells in his album "Epileptic" his family story autobiographically, which is marked by his brothers epilepsy. David B. was born in France in 1959. In 1990, he was one of the six cofounders of the alternative comics publisher "L'Association". After "Le Cheval Blême" and numerous contributions to L'Association was well as other publishers, he began his masterpiece "Epileptic" in 1996. This six-volume series is released in two volumes in English by L'Association.
David B. will be present at the festival and will take part in a talk show on Saturday 8th May.
Marjane Satrapi- Childhood Memories from Iran (FR/Iran)
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Currently living in Paris, the Iranian Marjane Satrapi has risen to become the shooting star of the French comic-scene, (until now consisting predominantly of French men). In her four-volume series she tells of her youth in Iran using a very simple line. At the same time delivering a closer look at the lives of women in this Islamic country in a very personal manner, a country from which we outsiders have such a stereotype picture.
Willem- political cartoon (FR/NL)
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The Dutch cartoonist Willem has been publishing political cartoons and comics regularly in the French "Libération" since the seventies. He is definitely one of the worlds most sardonic and unpredictable cartoonists and without doubt the most famous Dutch graphic artist.
Artists in the Lucerne Art Museum (four artists from Italy, France and Belgium)
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Comic drawers and artists are united by a100-year-old relationship of fascination and disrespect, of give and take, of convergence and disassociation and most of all: of misunderstanding. First to break the boundaries and wander was Lyonel Feininger. But for a long time the world of artists has disregarded (the fact), that Feininger - well known as a cubistic painter and Master of Bauhaus - had started his career as a talented and successful cartoonist and comic drawer in 1894. It's mainly the comic-scene, who remembers Picasso's saying "I only regret one thing: The fact I never drew comics". Fumetto has taken its chance this year as a guest in the Arts Museum to display a group exhibition consisting of two female and two male artists, artists who often find comic panels just that bit too small. Dominique Goblet, Caroline Sury, Stefano Ricci and Lorenzo Mattotti have each created enough breathing space enabling themselves to find adequate contents for their respective projects- that could be comics or pictures, but also drawings, screen prints, objects or installations. Through all this individuality though they still have one thing in common: They never deny their comic roots, but in fact proudly admit to their artistic origin. That's why there is always a narrative level/ plain at hand in all of their work be it comics or individual pictures.
Lorenzo Mattotti (Italy + France)
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Mattotti was born in 1954 in Brescia (Italy) and currently lives in Paris. He fought against the stiff comic-corset right from the start. The Valvoline group (of which he was an original founder) tore down the borders between comics, illustrations, fashion, architecture and design in 1983. His first masterpiece titled "FIRE" (1986) revolutionised the comic language with its expressive lines and lavish colours and has been inspiring generations of artists ever since. Lorenzo Mattotti (Fumetto guest star-1994) enjoys worldwide recognition nowadays as a comic author and is a so-called exceptional-artist, someone who is constantly developing and experimenting with new contents and forms/ techniques. Even more recognised is his work as an illustrator though: working regularly for the New Yorker, Le Monde, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, SZ- Magazin & NZZ- Folio. He also designs posters for various cultural events (the 2000 Film Festival in Cannes for example) and has not only received important awards for his comics but also for his children's books.
Born in 1964, Caroline Sury runs the underground publishing house "Le Dernier Cri" together with her partner Pakito Bolino in Marseille. Reeking havoc with their lavish screen-printed books, wild movies and sensational exhibitions (e.g.- Hôpital Brut, Fumetto 1999). Caroline Sury is actually an extremely gifted artist, always inspired by her life and everyday situations she draws rather odd, chaotic pictures using raw expressive strokes, never holding back with the ridicule or gore! Apart from releasing pieces with her own publishing house, Caroline Sury also draws regularly for L'Association, Strapazin and other relevant comic-magazines, not forgetting her work describing everyday life in downtown Marseille for the local "L'Hebdo" magazines weekly newspaper.
Stefano Ricci (Italy + Germany)
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One could almost call Stefano Ricci (1966) the Renaissance man of this exhibition: He's a comic author, illustrator and artist, but also a publisher, screen printer and curator. He released the "Mano" series together with Giovanna Anceschi (Fumetto 2002), a type of platform for picture-stories and narrative art in the broad sense, in the way he delivers a very sensual but also intellectual discussion concerning the subject of drawing. This discussion has also left its mark on his own work: Each page displays the whole procedure in how it came to be, the first sketch right up till the final piece, all on show. He continues to put layer after layer on his pictures creating a relief type surface using a wide range of materials including; oil crayons, lead pencils, masking tape, glue sticks, transparent paper, water colours or spray paints. The final result resembles an old wall with its layers of paint and other organic deposits. His pictures and illustrations, but also his comics all live from atmosphere & suggestion, more than from clear structured narration- there uncertainty should allow a subjective legibility.
Dominique Goblet (Belgium)
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Dominique Goblet's work has been seen numerous times in Lucerne: 1994 on the " Kappelbrücke " (Chapel Bridge), 1998 in the local swimming centre and Rebstock Hotel. After studying at the Saint-Luc School of Arts in Brussels (famous for it's comic courses), Goblet released her first work in association with the comic avant-garde group Fréon (now Fremok), she is nowadays one of the most talented authors and drawers of her generation.
Even though the quality of her pictures stands out at first sight, as she puts it herself, the telling of the story is and remains the middle and most important point. The pictorial and the narrative balance the scales; Dominique Goblet is an extraordinary drawer, the way she understands how to bring across complex, heavy stories subtly in just a few pages. The comic scene is eagerly awaiting the release of her new autobiographical comic about the relationship she has to her parents, due for release with the French publishers L'Association this year. The art scene however has been following her current piece with interest, the award winning "Nikita- Dominique Goblet et sa fille". With the use of opposing portraits, Dominique Goblet and her daughter Nikita are able to keep in touch with each other's inner and outer changes.
Guest Group- South Africa (RSA)
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As a result of Pro Helvetia's initiative, the first ever comic festival was held in South Africa this year in 2003. Due to it's huge success the event will be taking place again next year. After having Swiss artists on show in South Africa this year, there will also be South African artists appearing at Fumetto in 2004. The exhibition will be kept under the watchful eye of Anton Kannemeyer, also a comic artist, publisher of the "Bitterkomix" magazine and curator of the "Comics Brew" festival.
Young Spanish Drawers (SP)
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Like every year, Fumetto introduces young foreign artists, unknown to us here, together with their country's own comic tradition. 2004 it will be Spain. Together with Max, one of Spain's most renowned artist, a selection of works was compiled consisting of unique techniques and excellent graphics. A special edition of "Strapazin" will be released featuring these artists at Fumetto 2004.
Max Goldt is well known for being a talented columnist and lecturer.
Less well known is that, together with Stefan Katz he forms the Katz and
Goldt duo.
Their stories live on detailed observations paired with intelligent
nonsense, eccentric texts and equally strange pictures, in the end creating
subtly weird comics.
Calle Claus, TeER, Jule K. (D)
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A new comic-scene has been established in Hamburg. TeER, Jule K. and Calle Claus have made a name for themselves over the last few years in the independent-scene with regular publications. Calle Claus' magazine "Swurbel" will be out soon in English, TeER's artwork appears more and more in galleries and Jule K. doesn't only draw free and easy "sweet Punk rock comics", but also prints t-shirts, paints posters and dabbles at sculpturing.
Kassel Art School- Students Exhibition (D)
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Students of Hendrik Dorgathen present their work of the project "True Stories"
The young Lucerne group received recognition for it's unconventional contribution to last year's "Violence" competition. There was no story about violence, but a blackmail (comic-style) letter, with the text comprising of newspaper cutouts anonymously sent in. It didn't stop there, the letters continued then throughout the festival with threats of cultural actions/ attacks. The lid has since been lifted and names were named, they'll be back at Fumetto 2004 with an exhibition and to once again wreak havoc.
Bruno Moser/ Reto Gloor/ Massimo Milano
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The team's division of labour with Moser/ story, Gloor/ szenario and Milano/ drawings is quite unusual in Switzerland (where author based comics predominate). Although this often suits the artist's talents better, as most people aren't both storyteller and drawer. Apart from that it's the only way a massive 270 page, riveting comic-tome could be produced.
Sandra Luchsinger and Ivo Habermacher - Swiss Picture Book Prize Winner
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The young Zurich illustrator won the Swiss Picture Book Prize with her "Paolos Glück- eine Geschichte zum Weinen" (Paolo's luck - a story to cry to). Atlantis Publishing releases the book in spring. The official prize ceremony will take place at the festival together with the book preview plus an exhibition of sketches and originals. Ivo Habermacher won the prize in 2002 and will show the drawings he did for his book "Mein Schwonster".
Gnehm's comics instantly impress through their detailed artwork, not forgetting the story with its very clever bank thriller. But the young architect and comic artist chose himself a rather unique scene: the fictitious new Zurich Congress-Culture and Business centre by the Bürkliplatz on the lake. On top of that he'll also present a draft plus architectural model of the centre in an aim to create discussions on the actual plans/ intentions of the Zurich city council in relation to building a new Congress house.
Elvis Studio - the young French Swiss
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The young drawers Helge Reumann (1998 Swiss Design Prize, 1999 Studio-residency in Cracow Poland, 2002 Geneva City Prize) and Xavier Robel have broken comic tradition graphically with the francophone and have created their very own special style, somewhere between kids' books & art brut. Besides their graphic productions these two also have their own record label.
Comics are known by those of us who don't even read picture books, because the advertising industry uses picture language as its medium, working with well-known drawers plus more and more complete picture stories. The exhibition is planned as a co-production between agencies, artists and associations.
A new book will be released in conjunction with the festival. "Pulp" is a mixture of children's and art books, of comics and collagen. He's also got himself an old caravan and painted and decorated it, which will double as a mini-shop/ bar and of course as a typical Bastian installation.
Those who believe that air beds/mattresses could have nothing
to do with comics will definitely be taught a thing or two by Stefan
Bucher-Twerenbold!
With his wildly painted rubber duckies and friends he¹s managed to create an
extravagant comic-water world in the small dam in front of the KKL.
With around 10 extra exhibitions Fumetto offers young up and coming artists the chance to display their work in various culture centres, restaurants and hotels.
Working together with businesses in the inner-city area, Fumetto provides about 25 unknown artists (mainly students) the possibility to exhibit their material in a small setting but for the whole world to see.
Book Previews/ Book Signing
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As a result of more and more Swiss artists and small comic publishers releasing new material just prior or in conjunction with the festival, Fumetto 2004 will be organising a joint book release/preview completed with book signing. Those most likely to profit being of course the young unknown authors due to the large crowds that are expected.
Felice Bruno and Heini Andermatt - Comics and Sculpture
Tino Roellin and Stefanie Dietiker - Bodyexfoliator and Galerie Camping
Stefan Bucher-Twerenbold - Swimming images
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